Liverpool 2-0 Brighton Hove Albion: Post-match review, Stats, Key moments

Liverpool beat Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0 at Anfield. The Reds got off to a flying start when Hugo Ekitiké scored in the first minute, assisted by Joe Gomez, setting the tone early on. Things changed around the 26th minute when Mohamed Salah came on for Joe Gomez, and Liverpool kept pushing, but Brighton held firm until the hour mark when Hugo Ekitiké grabbed his second, this time with an assist from Mohamed Salah. Coming off a mixed run with a draw against Leeds and a loss to Nottingham Forest, this win felt like a solid bounce-back for Liverpool, showing they can grind out results at home.

The second half saw a couple of yellow cards, with Brighton’s Lewis Dunk booked just before the hour and Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté following soon after, adding some edge to the game. Brighton made changes around the 64th minute, bringing on Yasin Ayari and Kaoru Mitoma, but they couldn’t find a way back, especially after their recent form which included a draw with West Ham and a loss to Aston Villa left them vulnerable on the road. Liverpool wrapped things up with late subs like Alexander Isak and Andrew Robertson coming on, securing a clean sheet that boosts their confidence after those recent draws.

The game was evenly split on possession with both sides holding 50%, but Liverpool looked sharper in attack, racking up far more successful dribbles at 72 compared to Brighton’s 33, which shows they were more effective at beating defenders and creating chances. Corners were level at two each, suggesting neither team dominated set-pieces, while assists went Liverpool’s way with two recorded against Brighton’s zero, highlighting their better link-up play in the final third.

On the discipline side, Liverpool picked up one yellow card while Brighton had two, and there were no reds or penalties to swing the match. Substitutions saw Liverpool make four changes, like Mohamed Salah replacing Joe Gomez early at 26 minutes and later Alexander Isak coming on for Hugo Ekitiké at 78 minutes, while Brighton used all five, including Kaoru Mitoma for Brajan Gruda at 64 minutes and Danny Welbeck for Jack Hinshelwood at 82 minutes, but it wasn’t enough to turn the tide.

Liverpool struck first right from the kick-off, with Hugo Ekitiké finding the net in the opening minute thanks to a smart assist from Joe Gomez, giving the home side an instant lead. The early substitution at 26 minutes brought Mohamed Salah into the fray for Joe Gomez, and he made an impact by setting up Ekitiké’s second goal on the hour, which pretty much sealed the deal. Brighton picked up yellow cards for Diego Gómez just before half-time and Lewis Dunk around the 59th minute, disrupting their rhythm.

A yellow for Liverpool’s Ibrahima Konaté at 64 minutes added tension, but Brighton’s double change at that point, with Yasin Ayari replacing Carlos Baleba and Kaoru Mitoma coming on for Brajan Gruda, couldn’t spark a comeback. Late subs for both teams, like Alexander Isak for Ekitiké and Danny Welbeck for Jack Hinshelwood, kept things fresh, but the Reds held on comfortably for the win.

Liverpool lined up in a 4-2-3-1 shape, with Hugo Ekitiké leading the line up front and showing great finishing, while partnerships like the one between Joe Gomez and Ekitiké early on created that opening goal. Mohamed Salah’s introduction added pace on the wing, linking well with Ekitiké for the second, and players like Ibrahima Konaté provided solid defending despite his booking.

Brighton & Hove Albion set up in a 4-2-3-1 formation, relying on players like Lewis Dunk at the back for leadership, though his yellow card highlighted some defensive frustrations. Substitutes such as Kaoru Mitoma and Danny Welbeck brought energy when they came on, aiming to boost the attack alongside efforts from Diego Gómez before his late exit.

Hugo Ekitiké is Coral’s Man of the Match after his brace, scoring twice without any assists or big chances created from his own play, but his sharp finishing made all the difference in a tight game. He didn’t rack up key passes, but those two goals in the 1st and 60th minutes showed his clinical edge, turning Liverpool’s pressure into points and earning him the nod for standing out upfront.

Recent Premier League matches:

• Win: 2-0 vs Brighton & Hove Albion (H)
• Draw: 3-3 vs Leeds United (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs Sunderland (H)
• Win: 2-0 vs West Ham United (A)
• Loss: 0-3 vs Nottingham Forest (H)

Recent Premier League matches:

• Loss: 0-2 vs Liverpool (A)
• Draw: 1-1 vs West Ham United (H)
• Loss: 3-4 vs Aston Villa (H)
• Win: 2-0 vs Nottingham Forest (A)
• Win: 2-1 vs Brentford (H)

Liverpool have just beaten Brighton & Hove Albion 2-0, sitting sixth on 26 points after a run that includes a draw with Leeds United and a win over West Ham United, though that loss to Nottingham Forest shows they need consistency to chase those European spots. Their next match is against Tottenham Hotspur on 2025-12-20 at 17:30, with Spurs currently 11th on 22 points, so it’s a chance for the Reds to build momentum and pull further away from the mid-table pack.

Brighton & Hove Albion have just lost 2-0 to Liverpool, leaving them ninth on 23 points following a mixed spell with a draw against West Ham United and wins over Nottingham Forest and Brentford, but back-to-back defeats like the one to Aston Villa mean they need to steady the ship to avoid slipping down. Their next fixture is against Sunderland on 2025-12-20 at 15:00, with Sunderland sat 10th on 23 points, making it a key battle for mid-table security and a potential quick rebound.

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Odds and market details are accurate as of the time of publication.